The Cardboard Bernini

Q & A with filmmaker Olympia Stone and artist James Grashow

"The Cardboard Bernini," examines the work and life of artist James Grashow as he builds a giant cardboard fountain inspired by the work of the famous baroque sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini.  James Grashow is an artist who has built—among many other things-- giant 15 foot tall fighting men, a city, and an ocean-- using paper maché, fabric, chicken wire and cardboard. More recently, he has begun making sculptures entirely out of corrugated cardboard and twist ties.

Jimmy intended this work to be put outside to disintegrate. Director Olympia Stone, whose father is an art dealer, began documenting this process from the start.  Jimmy’s “corrugated fountain” premiered indoors on June 11, 2010 at the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, Virginia, to great acclaim. After shows in New York City and Pittsburgh, Jimmy finally installed the fountain outdoors at the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art in Ridgefield, CT on April 1, 2012. It was there for a total of six weeks, after which time Jimmy took his degraded cardboard masterpiece to the dumpster: “Ashes to ashes, mush to mush.”  This show will be the premiere film at the Connecticut Film Festival this Summer.

Tickets: $15 Adults; $10 Seniors and Students

VIP post screening party at the Aldrich Museum $30

Please call box office to purchase Student, Senior and VIP Aldrich Museum tickets! (203) 438-5795